Archive for category Media Review
Introducing the BibleWorks Knowledge Base
Posted by Joel in Media Review, Technology on October 18, 2010
I happen to really enjoy Bibleworks and have found that it does exactly what it sets out to do – to focus on the text:
How Can I Prepare BibleWorks to Run in Windows Vista or Windows 7?- Can I Run Early Versions of BibleWorks in Windows Vista or Windows 7?
- May I Install BibleWorks On More Than One Computer?
- How Can I Run BibleWorks on a Mac Computer?
- Will There Ever Be A Mac Version of BibleWorks?
- Will BibleWorks Ever Be Ported to a Handheld Platform, Such as a Smart Phone?
- Why Don’t Greek & Hebrew Fonts Work for Me in Windows 7?
- What is Hermeneutika?
- What is the Best Way to Learn BibleWorks?
- How Do I Search The BibleWorks Knowledgebase?
And more articles can be found here…
BibleWorks Knowledge Base.
By the way, if you want or otherwise need Bibleworks 8, get it here
.
Mark Stevens and Bibleworks 8
Posted by Joel in Media Review on September 28, 2010
Mark has been reviewing Bibleworks 8 (Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4). For his summary, he lists,
- I can see why people speak so highly of this product. In the short time I have been using it I have been VERY impressed by how functional and reliable it is.
- I am less overwhelmed by the program than I was to begin with, especially after watching the “Getting Started” videos. There is still a lot to learn and I think I could do with a Greek and Hebrew refresher course to aid in what I could get out of the software.
- Installation was quick and easy. In my opinion this is one of the major benefits of BibleWorks over Logos 4! It took about 20 minutes to load the software furthermore, it opens in seconds whereas Logos 4 takes a very long time to open and initially took me hours & gigabytes of downloads to install followed by 4 or 5 hours of indexing. In my opinion this was not a great way to start. Here in Australia, download rates are not cheap. On this point alone BibleWorks trumps Logos!
- I am impressed with the company’s desire to help pastors, students and teachers. I get the feeling that for those involved this is very much a ministry. There isn’t a push to buy add-ons all of the time. The software is what it is and there a few products available to be added on if one would like. Personally I would recommend the BDAG/HALOT bundle. Perhaps this is a silly reason to support a company but one I appreciate.
- The notes feature is AWESOME!
For once, I would agree with Mark. By the way, if you want or otherwise need Bibleworks 8, get it here.
Review: The Red Letters Project, the Gospel of Matthew (NLT)
Posted by Joel in Media Review, NLT on September 13, 2010
For over a hundred years now, most American bibles have been printed with the words of Christ in red. Lately, this has given rise to ‘Red Letter Christians’ either as a self-description or a pejorative by others. But, regardless if the words are in red or black or any other color, the words of Christ stand out in the Gospels and have helped Christians across the centuries, giving them direction, comfort, and acting in many ways as the Psalms does for both Jews and Christians. Now, The Red Letters Project takes the words in red as found in the NLT’s Gospel of Matthew, setting them to music, and in the process, creating a radical way to hear and to spread those blood-red words.
From the website,
The Red Letters Project is a musical experience like no other. The red letters of Jesus from the Book of Matthew (NLT) take on new life as they are set to rock music. Word for word, songs are formed without concern of rhyme or adding any definition. The result is a new way of hearing and experiencing the Gospel. This is The Red Letters Project.
Ranging in styles from ballads to pop rock to more of the heavy side of the genre, the Project takes the NLT’s translation of the Gospel of Matthew and sets it to contemporary rock music. It reminds me, for the most part, more of the alternative scale, but doesn’t focus on music. Instead, the words come across, powerfully, reminding us of the precious words of Christ. Each ‘red word’ is featured in the project which covers the entire Gospel according to Matthew. Simply, these powerful songs appeal in style to a younger generation, and indeed, those of an older generation who might like something harder than choral music in the morning. While for me, I prefer something more with twang, I couldn’t find too many of the songs that I had to skip through. Perhaps this is due to the subject matter, but I enjoyed the range of styles – some more than others – and the way that the arrangements didn’t take away from the preaching, er, singing of the Word of God.
This is not only a testament to the beauty of the blood-red words, but so to the translation style of the New Living Translation. The Red Letters Project shows that unlike other translation styles, the NLT can not only be read clearly, but transformed into a conversational song. There are few,if any, clips, stops, and sudden starts in transferring the words to song. If anything, hearing the words of Christ translated in the NLT and sung in a generational voice heightens the intensity of the NLT’s translation.
For those seeking to share the Gospel of Matthew with those who listen to nothing but what comes out of iPods, this is a great witnessing tool. For those who mind that modern ‘Christian’ music is lacking a certain message – there is nothing more powerful than hearing the words of Christ sung.
Review – Son of Man (Movie)
Posted by Joel in Media Review on April 22, 2010
Click to Order
This is a powerful, modern-day, retelling of the Gospel story, most notably, Mark’s Gospel, or at least the critical version of Mark’s Gospel.
The setting is a modern-day nation in Africa (although the place names are biblical), in which the land is covered in war, strife, tribalism, and sectarianism. Opening with Mary being chased by rapists and war criminals, the beauty of the film first erupts as she sings the Magnificant after meeting an angel. Traveling ahead to the full-grown man, this Jesus is a young African with a group of friends, living in the decay of an occupied civilization.
It is subtitled, and the conversation sparse enough to keep up, but it is enticing, pulling you in as the Gospel story is retold in a Liberationist voice. Vibrant colors are used, but matched by the darkness of Satan in a manner which you may not suspect. As the film rushes to its conclusion, the viewer picks up the finer details and remembers major points of the Gospel story. The murder of the innocents, Bethlehem’s holocaust, is something that is seen and heard of daily, in our world, and graphically portrayed by the actors in brutal fashion. The miracle scenes are sparse, but when they arrive, they are powerful.
It does change, as to be expected, some plot details. Not all the disciples are men – some are women. This Jesus is not seen as a well-groomed, masculine man with a beard, but a young, soft-spoken radical. The antagonists are the expected African warlords, but what is difficult to come to terms with is the portrayal of Satan.
As the movie progresses, towards its known conclusion, it builds momentum, especially for those who think they know what is coming next. In a movie filled with changes and takes on the familiar story, the final one does justice to Mark’s Gospel. It would be unfair to speculate on the film maker’s vision here, but if Mark’s Gospel was an oral tradition before, then this conclusion and Mark’s critical conclusion are a powerful thump on the theologian’s chest concerning Jesus Christ.
The Judas Project (1993) attempted to retell the story of Jesus in a modern era, but this story attempts to draw the viewer into the cultural and political climate of the Gospels. It is filled with Liberationist and Imperial voices, taking into account many of the current themes in post-modern hermeneutics, and while it may not be the picturesque Jesus we are accustomed too, I believe that if a comparison of the climate in the Gospels’ thought world and any climate today, it would have to be told the way that this story was. It is powerful and provoking, and the more so with the conclusion.
The scenery, the music, the people make this movie a beautiful thing, but the story which is told encompasses so much more.
What’s In the Bible – Giveaway and Something Now.
Posted by Joel in Media Review on March 31, 2010
Guess what?
I have two What’s In the Bible DVD’s to giveaway.
Who want’s one? Leave a comment and I will announce the winner on Friday.
Oh, and Yes, I will ship international.
Oh, and here are some color pages for the kids!
Blog Tour Review: What’s In the Bible
Posted by Joel in Media Review on March 29, 2010
Biblical Literacy is down in the United States. All too often, people simply ‘know’ already what is in the bible based on either their own experience or what someone else has told them. Because of this, and the dangers which are produced, professional groups such as the Society of Biblical Literature have joined an initiative to get biblical literacy into the public schools. Recognizing a need for the American public to be biblical literate, other people and groups are joining the effort. This is not about teaching the Christian religion, but about exploring the bible in a manner which helps to educate all about what the bible really says.
Remember Veggietales? I bet some of you are hearing the hairbrush song right now. Well, stop singing. I finally got it out of my head. Well, the creator of that which we shall not talk about, Phil Vischer, has created a new series which explores biblical literacy. Aimed at children of all ages, Tyndale House Publishers and Phil Vischer has brought the magic of Veggietales that which we shall not talk about again to the wonderful world of the child.
First, my kids – 7 and 5.10 – loved it. Watching the small preview, my daughter didn’t like it all that much, but when able to watch a few episodes, she enjoyed it. My 5 year old loved it. It is a mixture of live action and puppets. A few little animations thrown in as well. Building on the success of what made the previous Vischer project appeal to children, What’s in the Bible speaks to children. It is thoroughly Evangelical, but can be enjoyed by Christian children of the various other denominations. While they maintain the bible has 66 books, they do venture into Church History and Canon. It has a certain catchiness which I imagine that parents will thoroughly enjoy as their children sing the tunes and it becomes trapped in the heads of unsuspecting parents everywhere.
Filled with Phil Vischer’s characters, voices, and personality, What’s in the Bible is funny, delightful, and annoyingly corny. Of course, I am speaking as a 32 year old father, and I like annoyingly corny. I admit, I had to laugh a bit at a few of the antics and you know, in the world of computer animation, the reliance upon Jim Henson style story telling. I think that this purposeful move will help to catch the attention of onlookers because it is, well, suddenly modern.
Not only do they cover biblical literacy, but they cover a bit of Church History, as I said before. While they don’t go into fine detail, they do give children enough information to engender a further discussion. From my standpoint, their bit on the Canon is, well, breathtakingly honest and without polemics. Further, while they speak to the level of children, they don’t dumb it down. They use the words common to biblical scholarship – you know, Pentateuch and Septuagint. Don’t worry, its not over their head either.
All in all, it is an excellent start of a series which I believe could be a welcomed addition to a Sunday School, homeschool, or even an after-school curriculum. Oh, and for parents too.
What’s in the Bible – Videos
Posted by Joel in Media Review on March 29, 2010
I figured that since today is my stop on the Blog tour, I might as well as post a few of those videos concerning it:
